Move News

So I haven't written much lately - been busy and uninspired again...and I just want to get the move overwith. The movers arrive tomorrow to pack, and come back on Friday to load. I have to stay home to monitor or they will pack shit I don't want them to pack. It doesn't help to label things either...they're kind of like Canada Post that way when you mark FRAGILE on a parcel, they do their best to stomp on it.

My last full day of work is today...I'll probably go back in on Friday too, after the movers load and leave. There is some sort of going away party being planned by the office complex folks (I share a building with several other agencies) along with a lunch tomorrow with my fellow employees (who work with the same agency I do) and they promised to serve something other than fish this time...

Friday night will be spent finishing up the cleaning and then I'm outta here Saturday morning.

Slowing things down is this rotten cold I have developed...it started on Sunday and is getting progressively worse. My sore throat has now developed into a cough...and I am choking in bed at night on what is in my throat...ick

Kitties are "helping" me...Stormy looks his usually worried self - where the hell is she going now and are we going too? Henry just likes to chew on anything I put down, crawls into boxes and bags and takes things out that I just put there.

So that's the latest...today will be busy at work as I wrap up some last minute casework, and clear out my office.

Lifting Guilt

Well, heard yesterday that they hired someone for the second social worker position here...just in time for me to leave. She won't arrive for a few weeks so I will be gone when she gets here. We had a long chat on the phone and she sounds very promising. Now my guilt about leaving the community without a social worker is lifting...phew.

She's coming out of a very northern community, so this will be nothing new and likely quite a bit warmer. The community members have been very good at telling me they will miss me, and that they think I was the best social worker they've had...awww...so I hope they give her as warm a welcome when she gets here.

Now I can continue with my own plans and shake off the rest of the guilt...

Countdown Is ON

Well, I leave Res in less than 2 weeks. Yes, 2 weeks. Holy shit. I have so much to do, so little time! Found a reminder of why the move will be good when I was in Hay River on Thursday. Was considering some bacon for the weekend until I saw the price...that's JM Schneider's bacon at $9.19...he must be surely rolling in his grave. Ift it's this much just north of Alberta, how much is it in places like Colville Lake, or Holman? Sheesh...

I have to call and book the movers today, and start wrapping up my local work...lots to do there. I have a newsletter to put out by next week, my boss is back next week so have to get things organized to go over with her since there is no new social worker hired yet for here. I have to finish sorting out what to take in the car with me, and what to leave for the movers to pack. I have to find out if the movers will come here and pack...I dread the thought of having to pack all this shit myself.

Then there is the whole matter of finding an apartment....have applied at several places, and hope to get into one by December 1st, if not before. I have to prepare the outdoor stuff for moving - empty the planters, shove it all in the shed, and decide what is staying behind. More sorting to do, still want to take a run to the dump with some stuff. Meant to take the recycling to Hay River last week and completely forgot! I have bags and bags of the stuff...might end up donating it to someone yet...I wish someone would take it here.

Once I arrive in Yellowknife (aka YK) I will be there just a few days before heading to Whitehorse for a conference and a visit with my girl! Just get back from that and I have to head to Edmonton to see a specialist, hopefully just for a day as I do have to actually start my new job too (Nov 5th). Busy, busy, busy!

On The Move Again

I FINALLY heard from the job yesterday and they offered me the position, as a permanent employee, and I start in about 3 weeks. Yes. 3 weeks. Holy shit, I have to move quickly. I'm quite excited about the job and happen to be having lunch with our manager today, my soon to be supervisor so we will be gabbing about the job I'm sure. There is still an appeal period as there is for all jobs in the north, but I am hopeful that no one will win an appeal against me getting the job. (priority 1 and 2 candidates can appeal if they are not offered the job - P1 is aboriginal/inuit, and P2 is born in NWT)

I am very glad to be putting child protection investigations and casework behind me to do some more positive stuff. I am sad about leaving behind all my community development work though...so hoping to find folks to take some of the projects over. I've already found someone to take over the video project - the local college has taken it on as a term project. Now if I can unload the newsletter, the craft club, and organize the groups to be run by others, I'll be all set...

I'm having a hard time being super elated about the job though as there is some serious stuff going on my family right now with my dad's health, and it is difficult to be so far away and unable to help much. I won't say much here but if any of my friends would like to email me privately, they know how to get in touch.

I'm in Yellowknife for the day to attend a training session with the department's lawyer. I brought my knitting...

No News

Nope, no news on the job front. Starting to doubt that I was successful...which comes with it's own complications. I had said I was fine just staying here and keeping the current job...however I'm not as sure about that. I can DO the job, but I am becoming less and less enamored with this community and its plethora of social issues. More like overwhelmed by how many issues there are and my inability to have much impact on such long-standing problems. Part of me wants to run for the hills, while the other part of me wants to jump right in. It ain't easy being here alone. If there was just another social worker in the second position...oh the change we could affect...

Sigh...the wait continues...

Driving Home

Sunny and 15C today...nice for the drive home. I saw a bunch of buffalo, a bear, and a ptarmigan.

Conference Weekend Highlights (and lows...)

Rather than drone on about too much, here are the highlights from the weekend, and lowlights you might say...

• they gave me the wrong room when I got here on Thursday night, however they did give me a room like the one I booked the following day. Nice room, kitchenette, sofa, table, desk, and working internet, along the usual parts - tv, dresser, bed, etc...
• the multicultural night was interesting...started great with the Moonlight Drum Dancers from Paulatuk, which were very cool to watch, including this little guy who was very familiar with the music. I love the rhythm of the drums...then some really cute little highland dancers, and then there was something trying to pass for a Celtic quartet...picture the Mamas and the Papas and then change their voices to Rita McNeil on acid, and after that I couldn't hear anymore...I was hoping for something from the Dogrib and Dene, but not this time...the Filipino coconut dancers were funny to watch.
• friends and I ate out at Boston Pizza last night...our waitress ignored us most of the night - she took orders and brought food for three tables that came in after us before she even came to take our order...she brought us drinks and then ignored us, and forgot to bring our parts of our orders at times...bitch. She didn't get a tip.
• the engine light came on in my car...ruh-roh...I have to check with a local dealer to find out who does Toyota warranty work
• the conference is interesting so far...the last session of the day was quite powerful. Have met some great people so far...nice networking opportunity, and I learned great deal about women in Dogrib culture, particularly their coming of age rituals.
• the weather has been pretty mild, which is nice with so many people walking back and forth to the conference. I remember being here last November for core training and we had to trudge through snowbanks in freezing windy weather. This is better...
• took two of the youth from Res out today for some shopping at lunchtime...we also went through Mc Donalds...after one of them tells me he had 2 double big macs last night...growing boys! Was totally unimpressed at how the same cashier at crappy tire treated these aboriginal youth after serving me, thinking we were not together. I stood and watched her be quite rude and abrupt with them, when she was all kittens and rainbows with me...another bitch. the kids I was with were good boys, and didn't look like thugs.
• went out for supper tonight with friends at a nice restaurant, and while the waitress was very nice and attentive tonight, the order machine jammed and our orders were ridiculously long coming out. We didn't mind too much for a while as we sat and chatted over drinks...then we got hungry....once it came though, it was delicious!mmmm steak...went back to one of my friend's places for pie and chatter and had my cards read - good cards tonight, always a good sign. Loads of good laughs, and now an inside joke about girl's days (from back in Cape Breton - those who came know what it is).
• saw someone get arrested outside my hotel on Thursday night...and again last night when I went for a drive. ahhhh, city life...
• I bought 2 cds today - the best of Santana and Pink Floyd's The Wall. Sometimes I just like owning the music in its best form...downloads are often crap
• the boys (kitties) are settled happily at K.'s for the weekend. Miss them at bedtime!
• I am enjoying the socializing...getting a good fix before heading back to isolation...I miss my friend I. who is bodysurfing today in New Zealand...I am envious...
• turkey dinner tomorrow at the banquet...yummm...Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Buffalo and The Mackenzie River

There are buffalo all over the highway from Fort Providence to Rae-Edzo. They aren't aggressive, just big animals you have to respect and give them the road...the water you see is the Mackenzie River.